A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a 1.9% increase in the average cost of a healthy diet in Nigeria, now standing at N1,265 per day.
This marks a rise from N1,241 in June 2024.
The NBS data shows significant regional variations, with the South West zone recording the highest average cost of a healthy diet at N1,581 per adult per day. In contrast, the North West zone had the lowest at N956 per adult per day.
The report notes that the cost of a healthy diet has increased faster than general inflation and food inflation in recent months. This trend is concerning, especially with Nigeria’s headline and food inflation rates standing at 33.40% and 39.53%, respectively, in July 2024.
The NBS clarifies that the cost of a healthy diet represents a lower bound, excluding transportation and meal preparation costs. The data serves as a benchmark for understanding the affordability of a healthy diet in Nigeria.
